[MLS] New England closed out its preseason competitive schedule by playing a pair of scrimmages against Honduran club Marathon on Friday and Sunday in New Orleans.

Two scrimmages were staged on both days, and Revs head coach Steve Nicol used both the 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 systems he'd been deploying in preseason while also testing out numerous forward partners for Taylor Twellman.

One of the candidates, Zimbabwean Kheli Dube, scored the first goal Friday as New England "won" the two 30-minute scrimmages, 4-0. Twellman assisted on Dube's goal and scored the second himself four minutes later. Khano Smith scored the third and fourth goals after Nicol moved him to left midfield for the second scrimmage.

The Sunday sessions, which were 45 minutes, ended 0-0 with Nicol running out Honduran midfielder Mauricio "Pipo" Castro to make his first appearance with the club. He played the second half on the left side of midfield in the 4-4-2.

Both teams failed to convert a penalty kick in the second half Sunday. Revs backup keeper Doug Warren saved the first one, and the Marathon keeper turned away Adam Cristman's rising blast to keep the teams even. Twellman and Shalrie Joseph didn't play Sunday yet still Nicol fielded 20 players. Twellman and Joseph played only the first 30-minute session on Friday.

New England plays Houston in a rematch of MLS Cup 2007 its home opener March 29 at Gillette Stadium.